We welcome back Matthew Casey, who spent the summer of 2003

Matthew Casey

teaching physics in Latin’s summer programs and now has returned to join the Middle School science faculty. Matthew’s areas of interest are physics and astronomy, which he has taught for more than four years. Most recently, Mathew was a curriculum specialist for the Chicago Academy of Sciences and the Notebaert Nature Museum. In this position he helped develop and teach hands-on science curricula to students in the Chicago Public Schools. Matthew holds a bachelor’s of science degree from Iowa State University.

Jennifer Evers is the new Middle and Upper School Chinese teacher. Jennifer is no stranger to independent schools. She comes to Latin from Lake Forest Academy, where she was the associate director of external relations. She also has worked in alumni relations at the Cranbrook School in Bloomfield, MI, The Castilleja School in Palo Alto, CA, and The Madeira School in McLean, VA, as well as Webster University in Geneva, Switzerland. Jennifer earned her bachelor’s degree at Dartmouth College,

Jennifer Evers

where she researched the origin and development of Chinese characters as a Presidential Scholar. During her time at Dartmouth, Jennifer also spent six months studying Chinese at Beijing Normal University. Jennifer received her master’s degree in East Asian studies from Stanford University. She has taught Chinese at The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, NY and at the Madeira School. In her free time she teaches English as a Second Language at the South-East Asia Center in Chicago.

Not only is Don Firke Latin’s new head of school, but he also joins the Language Department faculty as a teacher of Latin. Don comes to Latin from Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, CT, where he was the assistant headmaster and dean of faculty. His experience as an educator is extensive

Don Firke

and varied. He began his career in 1977, teaching middle school English and upper school Greek and Latin at the Hackley School, a K-12 independent school in Tarrytown, NY. He also has taught at the Collegiate School in New York and the Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills, MI. In 1985, Don started at Choate, where he was a Latin teacher, an academic adviser, coached several sports, headed the languages department, and worked as the dean of academic affairs. Don holds a bachelor’s degree from Williams College and a master’s degree in liberal studies, with a concentration in classical languages and literature, from Wesleyan University.

Kirk Greer joins the Upper School’s Humanities faculty. He comes to Latin with a variety of professional experiences including as a tutor at a local charter school, an instructor teaching introductory courses in European intellectual history at the University of Chicago, and a facilitator for the Illinois Humanities Council. He received a bachelor’s degree from Kenyon College, and a master’s degree in political science from the University of Chicago. He is a doctoral candidate at the University of Chicago. His dissertation title is: “Realizing Respect: White Norms, Racial Hierarchy, and Sources of Transformation.” Kirk enjoys forensics and debate and has experience as a website manager.

New vocal music teacher James Lunsford

James Lunsford

comes to Latin with more than 17 years of experience teaching music in schools throughout the Chicago area and Arizona. Most recently, James directed the undergraduate and community choirs and taught music history at Triton Community College in River Grove. He also was a music teacher at Unity Junior High School in Cicero. James started his career as the assistant choral director at McClintock High School in Tempe, AZ. He earned his master’s degree in music education at Arizona State University and has a bachelor’s degree from Pomona College. Outside the classroom, James has played guitar and keyboard with a number of pop and jazz ensembles.

David Marshall is Latin’s new English Department chair. David has extensive experience in independent schools. Before coming to Latin, he

David Marshall

taught English and creative writing at the Tower Hill School in Wilmington, DE, for more than 15 years. He started his career at the Louisville Collegiate School in Kentucky where he held positions in the English, drama, and college counseling departments. David holds a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University, a master’s in English and comparative literature from Columbia University, and an MFA in writing from Bennington College. In his free time, he enjoys writing poetry and nonfiction, blogging, running, swimming, drawing, painting, and theater.

Pamela McCarthy teaches physical education. Pam comes to Latin from the Fieldston School in Riverdale, NY, where she was the head athletic trainer and assistant athletic director. She has a wealth of experience as a camp counselor, lifeguard, and swimming instructor including at the Chelsea Piers in New York City, the Hopkins Summer School in New Haven, CT,

Pamela McCarthy

and the Brockton Boys and Girls Club in Brockton, MA. Pamela, received her bachelor’s degree in sports medicine and athletic training from Quinnipiac University.

Theresa Pfister teaches Upper School history and social studies at Latin. Her areas of interest include U.S. and German history, race, and gender. She is a doctoral candidate in U.S. history at the University of Illinois-Chicago and is working on a dissertation titled: “A Great Honor to the Womanhood: The Local and National Activism of Irene McCoy Gaines, 1940-1958.” Before coming to Latin, Theresa was a lecturer in African American History at UIC. She also has worked as a research assistant at Jane Addams Hull-House Museum. Theresa holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master’s degree in American history from Roosevelt University.

After filling in most of last year to cover a maternity leave, Amy Roberts has decided to stay on at Latin to teach English in the Middle School. Before coming to Latin, Amy taught English at Quincy High School in Quincy, IL, Skyview High School in Nampa, ID, and Friends’ Central School in Wynnewood, PA. She also spent two years at the Friends boys and girls schools in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Outside the classroom, Amy has taught and coached tennis at all levels. Amy received her bachelor’s degree from Bryn Mawr College and her Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary.

Max Rouse

Max Rouse

is a familiar face at Latin. A Class of 1993 graduate, Max taught Middle School social studies and coached basketball and baseball at Latin during the 2000-01 school year. He was a substitute teacher and coach last year and has returned this year to teach Middle School history and social studies. From 2001 until 2004 Max was the coordinator of basketball operations for Western Michigan University men’s basketball team. He also has taught at Hinsdale South High School and tutored for Educational Endeavors in Chicago. Max received his master of education and his bachelor’s degrees from the University of Illinois-Urbana. He also has studied at the University of Natal in Durban, South Africa.

Jennifer Snyder is joining us for one year as a science lab manager and Upper School science teacher. Jennifer comes to Latin from Roosevelt High School where she taught introductory biology and AP environmental science courses. She also has experience teaching

Jennifer Snyder

at Oak Park/River Forest High School and Truman College. Jennifer received her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a master’s degree in bioengineering from the University of Illinois-Chicago. She is working on her master’s in science education at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Outside the classroom, Jennifer has been a volunteer at Lincoln Park Zoo and worked as an educational intern at the Shedd Aquarium.

We welcome Rafael Torch to the Upper School English Department. Rafael comes to Latin from Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago where he was the dean of students and an English teacher. Rafael also has taught at Antioch College, the Latino Youth Alternative High School in Chicago, and at Buena Dia School in San Francisco—a pre-kindergarten multicultural education program.

Rafael Torch

Rafael received a bachelor’s degree from Antioch College and recently earned his master’s of arts in humanities from the University of Chicago. He is a published author and Illinois Arts Council fellowship recipient whose work has appeared in the Indiana Review and the Crab Orchard Review.

Stephanie Wang joins the fourth grade teaching team. Stephanie comes to Latin from The Town School For Boys in San Francisco, where she taught third grade for about seven years. During her time at Town, Stephanie was the assistant director of the summer school for one summer and taught creative writing another summer. She also has coached girls lacrosse. Stephanie received a bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College and has earned her teacher certification from Dominican University of California. She also has done extensive professional development work in educational therapy and curriculum development.

We welcome two wonderful, part-time additions to Latin’s Performing Arts Department during the 2005-06 year to fill in for drama teacher Ann Hartdegen, who is enjoying a sabbatical leave. Veteran drama teacher Bill Raffeld is an old friend for many. Bill taught theater at Latin from 1986 until his retirement in 2001. When he is not at Latin, Bill teaches and directs in the University of Illinois-Chicago’s department of performing arts. David Ferguson has worked professionally in lighting and scene design all over the country and the world.

David Ferguson

Most recently, he has been based in Chicago on production teams at the Apple Tree Theatre, The Theatre Building, the Athenaeum Studio Space, and the JCC Skokie. Previously, David worked in lighting and scene design in New York, Vermont, the Netherlands, Great Britain, and the United Arab Emirates.

© 2008 The Latin School of Chicago

Top of Page